In keeping with the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) ongoing work for immigration rights and social justice, UUA President the Rev. Peter Morales has released a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding Arizona’s anti-immigrant law, SB1070:

"As Unitarian Universalists, we applaud the Supreme Court's decision to strike down several portions of SB1070, a law we have held as immoral and unjustifiable since its inception. It is heartening to see this unjust law begin to crumble, and for the Supreme Court’s decision, we are thankful.

"However, I am deeply disappointed that the Court has chosen to uphold the 'check your papers' portion of SB1070. This is not in keeping with our country’s long tradition of striving for justice for all, nor does it reflect our collective moral obligation to protect and support vulnerable populations among us, including migrants and people of color. The thinly veiled racism inherent in SB1070 continues as long as this section of the law stands.

"Unitarian Universalists hold among our principles the affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every person. People of faith cannot rest easy as long as any part of SB1070 continues to strip the worth and dignity from migrants and their families. It is more than an injustice; it is a central component of the human rights crisis happening in Arizona right now.

"On the day SB1070 went into effect in July 2010, I went to Phoenix with other Unitarian Universalists to lift our voices in protest. I was arrested and convicted for my non-violent civil disobedience that day, but remain undaunted - in fact, I am more committed than ever - in taking a moral stand against the injustice of SB1070. On my journey to Phoenix for our Justice General Assembly, I was proud to return with thousands of Unitarian Universalists willing to stand on the side of love, and to continue our work for humane immigration reform and migrant rights."

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